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Hi all ,im a bit pissed off as i have just this afternoon been hit with $135 fine for being in a transit lane on the m1 motorway in brisbane and crossing a solid line to get off it.
about a kilometre before i was spotted by a lurking bike cop i was basically sqeezed into the transit lane by a fast driver and by the time i tried to get back onto the normal lane no one would allow me in as the traffic was very heavy. by the time i could safely merge back off the transit lane i was spotted and fined. i dont mind copping it on the chin when i speed but i feel like i was a victim of circumstance here and im mighty pissed off. i couldnt safely jump back into the normal lane after i was forced into the transit as the density of traffic made that a very unsafe maneuver. i felt i did the right and safe thing in waiting till there was a gap to merge into. a mate suggested i write a stern letter putting my case , anyone think i would be wasting my time,3 points is 3 points and i strangely feel very hard done by. normally i just right it off. any views as to where you send such a letter????????? pissed off to the MAX

from what it sounds you're in the right. what did mr plod say when u gave him the reason?

didnt really listen, he just tried to tell me that i crossed back onto the normal lane and in doing so cutting off a 4wd which is crap!..... he just stood ther and i gave up arguing with him.
I am just thinking that i shouldnt just take it up the arse without having my say to someone.

artrixx wrote:i felt i did the right and safe thing

If you did take the matter further, and you used that^
You would a have a strong case straight out, because they would have to argue what the right thing was to do... what was the right thing to do, no one knows, you get benefit of the doubt. And 3 Points sounds huge as well, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

thanks guys my girlfriend thinks i should just pay up and shut up but its just so annoying, anyone know where i write to ,to put my case.

it definetely doesnt sound right to me
but the cops arent liked for that reason - they say something and even if they are wrong u cant fight it much at all without big hassles and lotsa money (possibly)
also annoyin that the copper tryna book u falsely wont listen either.

but 3 points is pretty extensive for that kinda thing anyway i wulda thught
maybe its jsut the different laws over there to here

I doubt you'll get anywhere with it unless you go to court, but if you have the time and you don't mind the stress it will bring, go argue.

sorry to rain on the parade but you'll get nowhere.

i got slapped with 4 points and $580 for doing 40+ over the limit, in a temporarily erected 40-zone in a normal 80-zone for a festival day.

wrote a very calm and logical 2 page letter including photographs of the entry and exit of that section of road, including the lack of signage prior to it, and the tiny magnetic 40 sign they slapped over the 80 sign which is out of your vision when you're attempting a safe merge into busy traffic. The cops were waiting and bagged me, and let past heaps of others doing 80 or more. (clearly nobody knew it had been changed).

got back "we have considered your case and wish to advise that you can pay by the <2 week adjusted date> or we'll see you in court".

i paid. These days i sit 5 k's under the limit (not that it would have helped then). impatient drivers can go jump in my empty wallet.

the basic root of the road laws is SAFETY. You avoided a very likely accident of more than one car by finding room in the transit lane (pat yaself on the back) you continued to avoid accidents by continuing in the transit lane until safe to do so ( the police presence most likely assisted ) AT LEAST IT WASN"T A FOOTPATH !! Don't fight it - explain it and mention that the officer was not in a position to see why you entered the transit lane.